Quantum sensors could enable highly accurate navigation when GPS signals are unavailable, jammed, blocked, or spoofed.
Researchers are developing quantum sensors that could provide high accurate navigation without relying on Global Positioning System (GPS). This technology uses atomic superposition and interference to detect motion with extremely high level of accuracy, thus making it a possible solution for navigation when GPS is not available, blocked, jammed, or spoofed, for example, underwater, underground, and in contested environments.
The suggested solutions use quantum accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, and gravimeters to measure inertial parameters directly from atomic behaviour. As opposed to traditional inertial navigation systems with the tendency to develop significant error accumulation, quantum devices are expected to have substantially reduced drifts and higher positioning reliability for submarines, airplanes, space vessels, and other remote vehicles.
Many quantum sensors use the process of cold atom interferometry. Cold atoms are cooled down to nearly absolute zero temperatures, and laser pulses are used to place atoms into quantum superposition states. Researchers reported angular errors of around 10⁻⁹ radians over 10,000 seconds for cold atom gyroscopes and acceleration of 10⁻⁸ m/s² for accelerometers.
Also, quantum magnetometers and gravimeters can help navigation through comparison of local signatures with pre-recorded maps of magnetic and gravitational fields. A collaborative test conducted by NATO’s Center for Maritime Research and Experimentation, University of Pisa, and TNO showed the possibility of correction of the deviation in standard inertial sensors using magnetic data.
However, several engineering challenges remain. Current technologies need bulky vacuum chambers, lasers, and magnetic shielding; also, low measurement rates and sensitivity to dynamic motion make them difficult to deploy. The scientists study possibilities of photonic integration, laser sequencing and hybrid approaches that involve both classical inertial sensors and quantum devices.
The immediate applications will be in ships, planes, and spacecrafts, but further development will make quantum-grade positioning accessible even for smaller vehicles and handheld devices.
